Rolex Submariner 5513 'Meters First Dial'
SoldRolex Submariner 5513 'Meters First Dial'
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While we love all vintage Submariners, there is one truly iconic vintage Sub to us: the ref. 5513. With its timeless toolwatch aesthetics, robust design, and impressive 27-year production run, it’s a bonafide Rolex legend.
This 5513 dates back to 1968 and features a ‘meters first’ dial, which refers to the depth rating that states the meters first followed by the equivalent in feet (“200m = 660ft”). In the second half of the 1960s, Rolex switched to printing the feet before the meters to satisfy the growing American customer base. As a result, these ‘meters first’ dials are coveted among collectors.
The original aluminium bezel inlay still has a deep black color that matches well with the grained matte black dial. The dial features the Submariner’s iconic painted tritium markers in a pleasing eggshell color, which do not light up anymore after being exposed to light due to the use of a tritium/zinc sulfate compound, the markers and hands.
Unlike later Submariners (or its sister references, the 5512 and 1680), the 5513 features only two lines of text at the top half and two lines the lower half of the dial. This gives the 5513 a wonderful clean and understated look. Not too much, not too little: just perfect for a toolwatch.
The 40 mm stainless steel case is in great condition with thick lugs and is accompanied by a stainless steel folded Oyster bracelet.
Introduction
Rolex SubmarinerVisionary Hans Wildorf set out to make the world’s first waterproof and dust proof wristwatch and so in 1926 the ‘Oyster case’ was created. Then later on in 1953, the Rolex Submariner was born, with a water depth rating of 330ft/100M making it one of the world’s first wristwatches designed for the upcoming sport of scuba diving. The wristwatch was created for divers who needed a precise watch which could scale to such depths and be a reliable and accurate way of measuring (with the turning bezel) the time spent underwater. A major aspect of creating such a time piece was to make it easily legible yet aesthetically pleasing, hence the large contrasting white tritium hour markers and Mercedes hand on the black dial. The rugged look was adopted by no other than himself Mr Bond. (Sean Connory as Bond wore it in 1962’s ‘Dr. No’. The watch was also featured in the later ‘Goldfinger’ and ‘Thunderball’ movie.) A legend was born and overtime it proved to be arguably one of the best, most desirable and iconic luxury watch of all time.REF. 5513The Submariner 5513 was produced between 1962 until 1989. This Submariner model features crown guards which were to protect the Oyster crown. The rare pointed crown guards made their first appearance with this model and were later on replaced by the rounded crown guards. The base calibre for the 5513 is the 1530, which is not chronometer certified and therefore the dial bears 2 lines of tekst. (Instead of 4-lines chronometer dials)
Specifications
- SKU 4152
- Weight 1 kg
- Bezel material
- Bracelet
- Caliber
- Case Dimensions
- Case Material
- Clasp
- Dial
- Glass
- Index
- Inlay
- Model
- Movement
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Reference
5513
- Year